Francis

MINGO JUNCTION — A Steubenville man has been charged with two counts of felonious assault and one count of aggravated assault after a shooting Sunday evening that left another man in critical but stable condition.

The victim, Michael Anthony Striffler, 33, 1289 Lincoln Ave., was taken by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital after being shot in the face, authorities report.

Charged with his assault is Corey Francis, 31, 150 Benson Lane, who remains lodged in the Jefferson County jail.

Mingo Junction Police Chief Willie McKenzie said the victim had allegedly followed Francis and his girlfriend “into Mingo from the Wintersville area where they came to a halt in the 300 block of Western Avenue.”

“The female involved advised the victim was driving very closely to them before pulling up alongside them, screaming obscenities, then pulled approximately 28 feet from their vehicle, exited his vehicle and walked toward her vehicle,” McKenzie said.

The two argued, then Francis allegedly pulled a gun out and shot Striffler, before running into his brother’s residence at 305 Western Ave., police said.

“The male passenger in her vehicle (Francis) allegedly exited the vehicle with a gun in hand and made contact with the victim, face-to-face,” McKenzie said. “An argument ensued and the suspect allegedly shot the victim in the mouth area.”

He said Francis was apprehended minutes later in his brother’s residence.

The case is still under investigation.

In a separate matter, deputies also report Francis’s brother, Codey Taylor Francis, 29, 305 Western Ave., was charged with illegal manufacture of drugs or cultivation of marijuana Sunday. No details were available.